 |
Mitchell Community College has a long and distinguished history as an
educational institution. Established in 1852, it began as a Presbyterian
female college. Today, it has evolved into a modern comprehensive
community college. During its 150 years of operation, the college has
shown a remarkable ability to meet challenges and adapt to changing
times. It has been that ability that allowed Mitchell to survive when so
many similar contemporary institutions failed.
Two factors helped Mitchell survive and prosper across three centuries,
and an examination of these factors form the core of this book. The
college has been blessed with determined insightful leaders— administrators,
faculty, and trustees—who brought it safely through storms, depression, and wars.
At each critical point in the history of Mitchell College, those leaders have
emerged. The college has also been fortunate to have a strong relationship with
the community of Statesville. The college and the town have been so closely linked
that it is almost impossible to imagine one without the other. Before Mitchell
became a community college, it was a college of this community.
Current history
professor, Bill Moose, is the ideal person to write a history of Mitchell
Community College because he has a wealth of knowledge about Mitchell and
the area. He
grew up in Iredell County, attended Mitchell College, and completed his
B.A. and M.A. in history at Wake Forest University. He has taught history
at Mitchell
since 1981. |
